Cotopaxi Teca Windbreaker Assessment

Backside Line

The Cotopaxi Teca windbreaker is a reasonably light-weight and packable layer designed for breezy adventures and on a regular basis outings. From biking to mountaineering or hitting the brewery, the Teca is flexible sufficient for trail-to-town use. 

Constituted of repurposed polyester taffeta, it’s an eco-friendly selection that reduces waste whereas delivering dependable wind resistance. The sturdy water-repellent end provides mild water resistance, making it nice for sudden drizzles. Its half-zip design permits for simple layering and air flow, and it’s the one jacket in our lineup with a kangaroo-style pouch within the frontInstantly recognizable with Cotopaxi’s trademark vibrant colorways, the Teca stays on our checklist of finest windbreakers from 12 months to 12 months. The match is barely saggy, feeling extra like that of an athletics sweatshirt than a windbreaker. This makes it nice for informal use, however it lacks the trim reduce of a extra performance-oriented piece. The Teca additionally lacks breathability. We have been ceaselessly moist from heavy perspiration drops accumulating within the jacket whereas sporting it on path runs. At an attainable worth, the Teca is a good jacket for entry-level fans or somebody on the lookout for an informal piece with a retro, throwback look.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Cotopaxi Teca Over on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to discipline check its efficiency in a number of situations. Our assessments consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and components. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and in addition accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

The Cotopaxi Teca is constructed with a few of the thickest nylon of any jacket we examined. This translated to a shocking quantity of climate resistance that we weren’t anticipating. It’s utterly windproof and even beads precipitation and light-weight rain. 

Whereas testing the Teca out on path runs in rain, sleet, and snow, it resisted wetting longer than any jacket we examined. The DWR end mixed with a 600mm polyurethane backer gives elevated moist climate safety. Whereas this jacket gained’t substitute your rain jacket, it shocked us with how properly it withstood moisture. It’s a windbreaker you possibly can put on when transferring out and in of sunshine precipitation.

Breathability

The thick nylon used within the Teca windbreaker was not very breathable, leaving us soaked from sweat whereas working and cross-country snowboarding. After a one-hour path run, we have been upset to seek out massive beads of sweat accumulating alongside the again and armpits of the jacket. It’s the least breathable jacket we examined – not our best choice for sweaty outings like working and snowboarding. This jacket is probably going too thick for decent days however good for shoulder-reason bike rides round city or reasonably chilly outings at low exertion charges.

Weight & Packability

Although affordably priced, the Cotopaxi Teca makes severe concessions in the case of weight and packability. With a manufacturer-stated weight of 4.4 ounces and a measured weight of 5.2 ounces (males’s medium), it confirmed the best discrepancy. It’s additionally one of many heaviest jackets in our lineup. 

The Teca can zip into its reversible kangaroo pocket, however it nonetheless is a big bundle roughly the scale of a Nalgene bottle. Neither packable nor mild sufficient for backcountry use, the Teca nonetheless has its place as a trendy and versatile windbreaker for entrance nation use.

Consolation & Match

The Cotopaxi Teca windbreaker has one of many extra relaxed and informal matches of any wind jacket we examined – extra like a sweatshirt than a windbreaker. It’s barely saggy by means of the arms and physique, however elastic cuffs and hem maintain it securely in place. This barely saggy match signifies that it matches a wide range of physique shapes and might layer over different garments in cooler climate. Nonetheless, it typically felt swishy and outsized on our check runs. Decidedly informal, the Teca shouldn’t be our first selection for technical adventures however has its place for entrance nation or shorter path adventures.

Ought to You Purchase the Cotopaxi Teca Windbreaker?

The Cotopaxi Teca is without doubt one of the solely windbreakers that may be discovered for beneath 100 {dollars}. That makes it an amazing choice for these simply stepping into the outside or wanting an inexpensive piece of substances. That being stated, its low worth makes concessions in each packability and breathability. It is without doubt one of the heaviest and bulkiest jackets in our lineup. We additionally discovered that the Teca trapped sweat to a level not present in some other jacket examined. That being stated, this jacket shocked us with its potential to bead moisture. The Teca is most at dwelling in entrance nation or shorter excursions. Cotopaxi’s iconic fashion and dedication to sustainability additionally make it a superb selection for informal put on round city.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Think about?

Head to our gear information to see the total lineup of finest windbreakers.

Patagonia Airshed Professional Assessment: One other jacket designed with a half zip, the Airshed Professional provides extra breathability and packs down smaller for a extra performance-oriented layer. 

Patagonia Houdini Assessment: Patagonia, like Cotopaxi, is famend for its dedication to the surroundings and social causes. The Houdini is a extremely versatile and sustainably made layer for a lot of completely different adventures.

Black Diamond Alpine Begin Assessment:  In case you are on the lookout for a equally roomy jacket however with higher breathability and efficiency match for the alpine, the Alpine Begin is a good selection.